| Alcohol detox medication is given in the first stages of | | | | symptoms of withdrawal, increasing the patient's |
| the detoxification process. This is the time when the | | | | chances of making it through this phase. |
| alcoholic is "weaned" from dependence on alcohol. A | | | | If it appears there is a chance of seizures during the |
| chronic alcoholic will almost always experience | | | | withdrawal phase, the use of an anticonvulsant |
| withdrawal symptoms, and medical treatment can | | | | medication will probably be evaluated. Some of the |
| make this time bearable. There is no hope of recovery | | | | more common ones are Buprenophex and valproate. |
| without passing through the withdrawal phase, but the | | | | Medication can also help with the inability to sleep, |
| symptoms can be so uncomfortable that, without | | | | which is commonly experienced during the detox |
| medical assistance, many patients would quit and go | | | | process. An alcoholic's body has become used to high |
| back to drinking. | | | | levels of alcohol. When this is stopped suddenly, the |
| The recovering alcoholic is also closely monitored by | | | | body reacts. The detox medications can alleviate, but |
| medical personnel during this time. Each alcoholic has | | | | usually do not stop all of the symptoms, and |
| developed his or her own tolerance for alcohol. This | | | | sleeplessness at some level is not uncommon. |
| can be quite high in some cases, producing severe | | | | Along with the detox medications, the alcoholic is often |
| withdrawal symptoms. Someone who wants to quit | | | | prescribed a multivitamin supplement. The typical |
| drinking may think twice when facing the possibility of | | | | alcoholic has a poor diet. Vitamin B1 is the most |
| strong cravings, body shakes, insomnia, or even | | | | common deficiency, and it's a serious one because it |
| convulsions. And that's where anti-withdrawal, or detox | | | | can affect brain functioning. |
| medications, come in. | | | | After the detox process, other medications may be |
| If the alcoholic is also taking prescription medications | | | | prescribed to help the alcoholic succeed at sobriety. |
| for other conditions, like liver problems, it is absolutely | | | | Drugs that reduce cravings or produce a bad reaction |
| imperative that the detox process be completed under | | | | to alcohol consumption (nausea and vomiting, for |
| close medical supervision. Interactions between the | | | | instance) can help the alcoholic work through those |
| medications, along with the body's reaction to the | | | | inevitable moments of weakness on the road to |
| sudden withdrawal of alcohol, must be closely | | | | recovery. |
| monitored. | | | | For alcoholics who have taken the huge step of |
| The time required to detoxify the body from alcohol's | | | | deciding they've had enough, detox medication is one |
| effects varies, but generally will be between 3 days | | | | more weapon in their arsenal. Alcohol detox |
| and 7 days. There are several medications available to | | | | medications, in conjunction with medical supervision and |
| help the detox process along. A benzodiazepine-class | | | | a determination to stop drinking, can be a second |
| drug like Klonepin will probably be considered. | | | | chance for someone who wants it. |
| Benzodiazepines can help reduce the physical | | | | |